Women Ages 50+ for the month of AUGUST

What do you mean when you say vinegar with 'mother'. Do you mean organic? I thought Apple Cider Vinegars were all the same. Esther

"Mother" is the sediment you see in the bottom of the bottle of UNDISTILLED apple cider vinegar. If its clear all the way to the bottom of the bottle, it isn't as beneficial; sort of like the difference between whole grain and bleached white flour.

If you really want to know, read all about the importance of "mother" in your vinegar here:

http://www.bragg.com/books/acv_excerpt.html

Barbie - I keep meaning to mention that I love your picture of your poodles!

Everyone have a great day, and here's to smart choices!

I too have been doing this for 6 months. I started on February 18, 2009. Progress seems slow, and not nearly as much as I hoped for in this amount of time, but down 20 pounds and 8" in my belly IS progress. I'm eating better than I have in my ENTIRE life and am much more active. I'm not sure I had this much energy 10 years ago!

I seriously doubt any of this would be true without the accountability and encouragement I find here with the ladies on this thread.

Its a gorgeous morning here. Not even any wind, so I've been outside since daybreak. Now that its starting to heat up, its time for me to do some strength training and housework. And of course, drink some more water! :drinker:

Happy Thursday y'all!

We are here for each other, right? Well, it seems like I'm really gung-ho to report when I've lost some pounds, but when I mess up I don't want anyone to know. But, that is one of the very reasons this thread is here right? So...I haven't been exercising, drinking water or eating like I should to lose weight.... Help!! I really don't want to go back where I was 6 months ago and I really DO want to continue on this wonderful journeyto being free from my own bondage. I am so glad that each of you know exactly what I'm talking about and are there for me and for all of us! Thanks for listening!:flowerforyou:

Sounds like you need to stop focusing on the big picture, and just tackle one day at a time. Forget what you did or didn't do yesterday, or last week ! Give yourself permission to start over.

TODAY find a way to get active. :flowerforyou:

TODAY drink your water. :drinker:

TODAY make good food choices. :happy:

Little by little, one choice at a time you can do this!

We are here for each other, right? Well, it seems like I'm really gung-ho to report when I've lost some pounds, but when I mess up I don't want anyone to know. But, that is one of the very reasons this thread is here right? So...I haven't been exercising, drinking water or eating like I should to lose weight.... Help!! I really don't want to go back where I was 6 months ago and I really DO want to continue on this wonderful journeyto being free from my own bondage. I am so glad that each of you know exactly what I'm talking about and are there for me and for all of us! Thanks for listening!:flowerforyou:

Sounds like you need to stop focusing on the big picture, and just tackle one day at a time. Forget what you did or didn't do yesterday, or last week ! Give yourself permission to start over.

TODAY find a way to get active. :flowerforyou:

TODAY drink your water. :drinker:

Ditto on that advice. It's all good advice that we KNOW but we forget to FOCUS. So, I'm with you and will think of you today when I'm focusing on this Great Advice - Thanks Susan.

Everyone have a great day,
Esther

TODAY make good food choices. :happy:

Little by little, one choice at a time you can do this!

Doobie Do,
yes it is easier to report when you do good. However we are here for you for better or worse.
I have been where you are 1 step forward and 10 steps backward. This time something in me is different. I cannot explain it I only know this time I WILL do this. My whole attitude is changed. Just keep on doing the best you can and you will get there. It just takes a lot of time and we tend to want the quick fix. Continue to post good or bad cause it will keep you on task.

Marie,
My husband was out of work for injuries for 10 years. I went through what you are going through. At first I think I felt like I had to enterain him or be with him 24/7. After we made our adjustments I found that it was better for us to plan some time together but for most days just plan our days and go about our business as usual. It is an adjustment but I would not trade those 10 years for anything. He has about 10 more years before he retires and I cannot wait. Good luck on your journey and enjoy retirement.

to everyone else, have a great day.
Vicki M

Hi,
I'm barely hanging on with the focus on healthier eating. It's hard to come home hungry, then have to find a quick supper. Mostly, I just want to sit down for a while and chill out. Water consumption is nil. I really admire all of you who have figured out a way to work away from home all day and still maintain your focus!
Bonnie

Cheers! :drinker:

:drinker: Yay! To us...:drinker:

:flowerforyou: I'm so glad I have found this group. I've been looking for somewhere I can get support as I diet. It seems that after we hit 50 everything changes. For one thing we have to deal with menopause and all the problems that go with it. Unless you've experienced it, you have no idea how it will affect you. I have just joined MFP and hopeful that I will be able to lose the 35 pounds to get to my goal weight. I am usually pretty good about my diet and have always ate healthy, but keeping a food diary was intermittent at best. Being able to log my food and with a couple of buttons I can instantly find out my calorie count. I really helps me plan my day.

Please excuse me while I vent awhile. Yesterday was a bad day for me and totally disrupted my diet. For the last two years I have been going through a very nasty divorce. No children are involved, just some land. My husband is a angry, controlling, abusive man and every time I have to deal with him or the divorce, I fall of the diet wagon. Yesterday was such a day. He has refused me access to the house and has all my furniture that I had before we were married. I have no bed and am sleeping on a mattress on the floor. My attorney has made several appointments with him and his attorney so that I could go in and identify my things for a comprehensive list of what I want. He has canceled everyone. I have rented a truck several times so I could pick up my things. He has canceled those with no notice. I am afraid to be around him by myself am requesting as part of the divorce settlement he pay for a mover to go in, pack my things and move them to my new apartment. My attorney told me yesterday in all likelihood the judge will not grant it and I'll only have a couple of days to pack 4 rooms of furniture. I mean, how do you pack a lifetime of things including a full kitchen and dinning room in one day so I can move it the next day. I usually work nights and weekends when others would be able to help me. I am partially disabled and work a minimum wage job part-time. I live from paycheck to paycheck so having the money to hire movers is so far out of my budget that it is not an option.

I had called my doctor several times last week and they finally returned my call yesterday. My husband canceled my health insurance so I have to pay full price for everything. I wanted to see if they could work with me to get my thyroid tested and get some prescriptions. They told me it would cost $200 and although they would set up payments I had to pay $100 up front. More money I don't have.

After I found that out, I came home and discovered my dryer wasn't working. Unfortunately I was going to dry my work clothes for that night. A friend was kind enough to lend me money so I could get my thyroid prescription. When I got to the drugstore and was ready to leave, my car wouldn't start. I think it is the starter so I had to call work and tell them I wouldn't be coming in because of a lack of transportation. That left them with only 1 other cashier to work the night shift. I walked down the street to a auto repair place and they were kind enough get my car started, but told me if it was the starter it would cost around $300 to get it replaced.

I was overwhelmed and so depressed by that time, I came home and drank my supper. Good thing I drink lite beer and scotch. I didn't go over my calorie count. I am just wondering what new problem will hit me today. I think I'll just stay in bed today. Hopefully, that will keep me out of the kitchen and eating everything I can find.

Nobody can say or do anything that will help me. I'll just have to deal. Sorry for venting.

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
Welcome, Calif1971dreamin,

You have come to the right place. We will listen to all you have to say and possibly offer some suggestions that may or not be useful:laugh: :laugh:

When I was going through a nightmare in my life, my best friend told me to "stay in the present". It helped me to stay focused on the fact that I had a job, a roof over my head, at least one set of clothes to wear, and that I could do what was in front of me for that one instant.

We are here to support you. Please check in with us often. And drink a lot of water.:drinker: :drinker: it really helps
Barbie

Wow, are you sure that you aren't married to my ex? They sound so much alike. My ex has friends giving him money right and left even though he has taken them to the cleaners many times in the past. He is now living on SSI. Does work and has everything handed to him.
I hope that all works out good on the 27th.

Well, everyone...I had lunch at Red Lobster. That put my over my calories. It was so good, though.

Hello All;

Calif1971dreamin, as hard as it is try to concentrate on doing what you know to be right. Yours is the heart you are responsible for. Being strong for yourself will bother him more than anything else you can do. Please don't measure your sucess by his petty standards.

Spent the day at the funeral of my husbands cousin who went home at the age of 56. The poor man was physically challenged every day of his life. He also faced unending challenges from a world that could not accept "different." His grace was to always move forward, in the attempt to accomplish something, to go to work, to help someone else, to cheer someone up.

It is amazing how this one, simple mans life touched so many.

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
Hi KC,
One of the best decisions I made for myself was to "Say No to Birthday Cake" It has worked for me for seven months. I have a friend who has lost weight and kept it off for five years and when someone mentions cake or ice cream she says, "That's not my food".

I am thinking good thoughts for you at your huge party. Keep a glass of water:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: with you at all times and that will help. :bigsmile:
Barbie

Helloand Happy Saturday - this weekend is one for housework:grumble:

California dreamin: staying in the present is such great advice. when my husband and I divorced we had to live in the same house for a year - a little trip to hell and back. Staying in the present keeps you sane. The other thing that is good is a gratitude journal - especially when you have days like you did - from one disaster to another! It' s hard not to think your name isn't on a list somewhere saying: give this woman grief' - but it isn't and if you look around there are things to be grateful for: friends, a nice day, a roof over your head [I was once in a place in my life where I had to decide "eat or pay rent?" - I was thinner then:laugh:
I also think the best revenge is a successful life! Keep to the things you know are your values - kindness, respect, caring- just don't let him take or change the essential you - he is who he is and this will end at some point and you want to look back and think 'I was as good a person as I could be"
LIfe will get better even though there are days when it does not feel that way. If you have a faith prayer is always good - even if you don't have a faith I think He listens.
I am glad you are here - this is such a great place! Sometimes I just read the postings and think 'these are such nice people'. On days when I don't have much to say and am feeling harried and hurried I stop by just to see how everyone is doing. It always gives me a lift.
I sure hear you on the menopause - I am still getting 'tropical moments' that make me want to take off my skin and sit in my bones!! Getting the weight off will help!! I have a ways to go but am excited about the journey and getting there!:happy:
Stay connected, drink lots of water, keep your goals in mind - one step at a time and you will get there and we will always be here to offer support, sometimes a good laugh cuz that is always a good thing, and this is just a nice place to sit back for a bit and be encouraged!!
Welcome! :flowerforyou:
HMMB